Ichika wasn't the type to misread the room. Sensing the thickening atmosphere between the two of them, she knew exactly what was coming next and opted for a swift exit. Even so, a flick of irritation pricked at her heart, though she couldn't quite put a finger on why.
Faced with Kushida's sudden embrace, Ryunosuke didn't let his common sense slip away. He immediately gave orders to have Yagami bound tightly to ensure no escape attempts. After confirming that Ayanokouji was keeping a watchful eye on Ichika, he looked down at Kushida in his arms.
"Once this island exam is over, let's find a place to talk—just the two of us."
Kushida didn't object. However, the moment Ryunosuke turned his head, he was met with the piercing, none-too-friendly glares of Haruka, Airi, Kei, Megumi, and Wang Mei-yu—the five "wives" of Class C.
Ryunosuke felt his scalp go numb. It took a considerable amount of frantic explaining before he managed to "survive" the brunt of their collective fury.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
When the exam finally drew to a close, the official results sent shockwaves through the year: the class led by Asuna had seized the top spot. With a massive 200-point jump over the previous frontrunners, they officially ascended as the new Class A.
The Final Standings:
1. Yuuki Asuna (New Class A)
Starting Points: 843
Bonuses: Successfully defended castle and crystal (+200); captured crystals and castles of Classes 1-A and 1-B (+400).
Total: 1,443
2. Ichinose Honami (New Class B)
Starting Points: 1,015
Bonuses: Thanks to Hachiman's clinical performance in neutralizing Classes 1-C and 1-D and seizing their castles, plus their own defense (+400).
Total: 1,415
To their dismay, Honami's group was knocked off the Class A throne. Driven by her expensive gaming habits, Asuna had performed well beyond normal limits. The most tragic fate, however, befell the freshmen; they were utterly decimated by these two classes, leaving them with nothing. For the underclassmen, these seniors were officially confirmed as their living nightmares.
3. Akasaka Ryunosuke (Class C)
Bonuses: Megumi successfully stole the crystals of Classes 1-C and 1-D (+200); occupied Fuka's castle (+100)—since Fuka had no interest in guarding it, Ryunosuke helped himself. Plus their own defense (+200).
Total: 1,325
Despite a sharp spike in points, they remained in Class C. Meanwhile, Class D found themselves in a pitiful state.
4. Kakeru Ryuen (Class D)
Bonuses: Only managed to defend their own castle and crystal (+200).
Total: 1,008
The gap between Classes A, B, and C is now razor-thin (under 150 points), but Class D has fallen significantly behind, left as the undisputed bottom-dwellers.
◆━⊰✿✧✿⊱━◆
Ryuen let out a long, weary sigh. "Am I really not cut out for this? It feels like I've become a relic of the past..."
Doubts began to gnaw at Ryuen's confidence. He contemplated stepping down from his leadership post. After all, during his absences, Class D had managed to keep pace with the upper ranks. Under his direct command, however, the distance had only widened. He decided to try and palm the responsibility back to Hiyori.
Hiyori rejected the offer flatly. She had worked far too hard to escape that "hot potato" and had no intention of picking it back up. Ryuen then glanced toward Ibuki, only to immediately scrap the idea; he had no doubt the class would implode under a "pig-brained" leader like her.
Just as frustration peaked, his eyes landed on Yukino, who was quietly reading a book. A spark of an idea lit up. The girl had talent and intellect, even if she was a bit antisocial.
Ryuen approached Yukino, putting on a (somewhat) contrite tone. "Would you be willing to lead the class? We need fresh blood; clearly, I'm not the man for the job."
Yukino closed her book, her trademark sharp tongue ready for action. "You certainly aren't. Your methods are too conservative—that's exactly why we're in this mess."
A vein throbbed in Ryuen's temple. (This girl... she really knows how to push it). Still, he maintained a forced, thin smile. "So, will you take over, Yukinoshita-san?"
Yukino brushed back her long black hair and stood tall, projecting absolute confidence. "Of course. Who else is even remotely competent? Simply follow my lead, and I will take this class to the top."
Ryuen let out a cynical laugh. "Quite the ego. Even I wouldn't dare boast that much."
Yukino narrowed her eyes, undeterred. "The reason you don't dare speak big is because you lack the power to back it up. I, on the other hand, have it."
(Damn it!) Ryuen nearly barked out an insult at her sheer narcissism, but he held it back. From that moment on, Yukino was officially the new leader of Class 2-D.
The New Hierarchy:
Class A: Yuuki Asuna (1,443)
Class B: Ichinose Honami (1,415)
Class C: Akasaka Ryunosuke (1,325)
Class D: Yukinoshita Yukino (1,008)
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